Experiences sharing traits with Supermassive Games’ interactive horror title Until Dawn fall into a specific category. These titles typically feature branching narratives driven by player choices, significant consequences for character actions (including character death), and a focus on cinematic presentation. They often utilize quick-time events and exploration to immerse the player within the story.
The appeal of these interactive narratives lies in their capacity to create compelling, personalized stories. The weight of player decisions and the potential for permanent character loss generate a heightened sense of tension and investment. The genres roots can be traced back to choose-your-own-adventure books, which offered readers a limited form of agency over the narratives direction. The advancement of video game technology has allowed for a more sophisticated and immersive experience.